Dear Father John, you used the phrase “spiritualized capital sins” in your post on consolation and desolation. I have never heard this idea before. What are spiritualized capital sins and how do they “attempt” to re-conquer the soul as we mature?
We have to remember that here on earth we are members of the Church militant. We are in the midst of a battle. As we grow spiritually,... Read More

Dear Father John, Can a root sin change over your life? It seems to me that increasingly sensuality is being replaced as a root sin by pride. have you seen this, as one sin goes, another becomes more prominent?
The general opinion on this question is, as far as I can tell, that root sins don’t change. Remember, because of our fallen nature, we all carry within us tendencies towards vanity, pride,... Read More

Dear Father John, Thank you for the post on root sin. It has definitely helped me. My question is, charity and humility seem to be the virtues to practice if the root sin is pride or vanity. But what would be the virtue to practice to overcome sensuality? It seems that it is more of an emotional response, hence the sensuality. Thanks to your article have identified this as my root sin, I am not entirely... Read More

Dear Father John, I am not in spiritual direction right now, but I am trying to put together a program of life anyway. Can you give me some pointers about identifying my “root sin”?
You are already on the right track. A program of life is worthless (well, almost worthless, at least) without having identified our root sin. Unless we understand the dynamism underlying our frequent faults and failings,... Read More

Dan Burke and Melissa Elson interview Christopher Carstens on participation in the liturgy and the beauty of the collect, or opening prayer, of the Mass. The post The Beautiful Collect of the Mass appeared first on SpiritualDirection.com / Catholic Spiritual Direction.

Join Dan Burke and Melissa Elson on Divine Intimacy Radio as they speak with Connie Rossini about what is necessary for establishing a lasting prayer life. The post Establishing a Lasting Prayer Life appeared first on SpiritualDirection.com / Catholic Spiritual Direction.

Dan Burke and Melissa Elson interview Christopher Carstens about liturgical participation, and the meaning and significance of making the sign of the cross. The post The Sign of the Cross appeared first on SpiritualDirection.com / Catholic Spiritual Direction.